Graduation!

Yesterday I attended the High School Graduation at the prison.  One of the teachers in the education department at the Newton Prison invited me to attend.  Formerly this was called the GED program but now it's called the HiSET - high school equivalency test.  Anyway I'm glad I attended.  I'm proud of all the graduates for what they've accomplished.  It's a big deal for guys who are locked up to finally finish what they've started.  It gives them a feeling of satisfaction that they can overcome obstacles in order to realize their goals.  One of the men graduating had recently been baptized at our November worship service.  He was one of the keynote speakers and emphasized "perseverance" in his talk.  Perseverance is so important in the Christian life too!  Two other graduates had made profession of faith at the November worship service in the prison gym.  One of them was actually the valedictorian of the class having scored quite well.  This man is very quiet in our New Life small groups but if you look at him it appears from his face that he is processing things internally all the time.  His brain is engaged even though he doesn't contribute much to the discussion.  His teachers are encouraging him to go to college because his mind is sharp.  When I spoke with him afterwards I asked him what his best subject was in school.  He said mathematics - that was always a strong point for me too.  Overall it was a feel good moment to attend the graduation ceremony - the men were in cap & gown and also had family members there to witness the proud moment.  I really enjoyed it and hope to attend in future years!

Baptism & Profession of Faith

On November 20, New Life had a Thanksgiving Service in the Newton Prison Gym.  Featured prominently were baptism and profession of faith.  A high-water mark was reached in both: 11 men were baptized and 5 men professed their faith in Jesus Christ.  Glory be to God!

Here are some words from two men who participated.  Denny was the last in line to be baptized.  As it says in the Word, "The first will be last."  Denny had to wait a LONG TIME to be baptized.  He said he first believed when he was 10 years old out in Oregon but his family was not religious.  So he waited until now…  Here are Denny's words: "I wish to thank everyone from New Life.  I was truly blessed by my baptism.  I had wished to be baptized for FORTY YEARS.  Thank you to my extended New Life family.  They truly are a light in a dark place.  For the giver of new life truly is Jesus Christ.  Jesus answered, 'Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.' (John 3:5)  Thank you to everyone that attended my baptism.  The transformation is amazing.  Sincerely a Spirit-filled believer at the Newton Prison."

Matt was one of the 5 guys to make a stand for Christ and profess faith in Christ.  He reads from Psalm 27:1-5 every day as it is a great encouragement to him.  Here is the first verse of that Psalm ~ "The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"  Matt understands that the reason for these worship services is "to plant seeds in people's hearts to bring them to Christ."  He took encouragement in seeing two men who were recently baptized reading the Word of God together back at their housing unit.  Here are a few more words from Matt: "When I professed my faith, it helped me in so many ways.  For a long time, I never wanted help with anything and at times felt unworthy.  Though I sometimes struggle still, God makes me feel worthy.  God has shaped me in ways I myself can't understand.  I don't think I'm supposed to understand it but just live as he's making me into a better man so that I can be fulfilled in His name.  Thank you all!  Thank you Lord for everything including my memories of loved ones.  You are a blessing to me.  Love you all.  Thank you for all your help and prayers." 

Ministry Report

What's been happening at the prison?  Let me tell you….

On Tuesdays, we've just finished up a study on Ephesians called power prayer.  We had stops in Ephesians 1, 3, and 6 learning that you can pray the prayers of Scripture.  Our final lesson was about the armor of God!  As you can imagine, the armor of God is extremely useful in the prison setting where spiritual warfare is extremely intense!

Soon we'll begin our next baptism and profession of faith class.  For four weeks we'll be preparing men to make a strong public stand for Jesus Christ.  The class has four sessions: Knowing God, God's Story, the Meaning of Baptism and the Christian Life.  November 20 will be our Thanksgiving worship service featuring baptism and profession of faith.  Can't wait!

On Thursdays, we've been viewing the DVD "Satisfied" by Jeff Manion.  So far it's been really interesting.  

Manion, the lead pastor of Ada Bible Church in Michigan, takes a hard look at all our stuff.  Manion reminds us that our identity is in Christ not in all our material possessions.  In the last session (we're at the midway point), Manion brought in a quote from Fred Rogers (the children's show host was also a Presbyterian Minister) - "The older I get, the more I've come to believe that nothing I buy can take away my loneliness, fill my emptiness, or heal my brokenness."  Overall this has been a tremendous study.

Both groups have been well attended.  We've been averaging 15-20 men on Tuesday afternoons and 25-30+ men on Thursday nights!  May the Spirit of the Living God continue to move behind prison walls!

Mountain Climber!

On Thursday, August 21 New Life will be hosting visitors from Lynnville Friends Church.  The prison gym will hold an inspired worship service.  Pastor Mark Porter will share his testimony and a message from God's Word about being "Called."  Julie Jones will lead the praise team but also share with the men in prison something important she's planning to do in September.  Embracing the challenge, Julie is ready to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise support for One Child Matters.  Watch the video to find out more…

Where Will You Be? from One Child Matters on Vimeo.

The Lord's Prayer

On Tuesday afternoons we've been studying the Lord's Prayer at our prison prayer group.  So far so good.  It's been a highly beneficial study and the group of men attending has been inspired.  One man was moved to write this Acrostic Poem summing up the Lord's Prayer.  He is a deliberative person so he took his time and did a good job.  See what you think.





T ruthfully
H allowed
E dification

L oving
O rdinances
R ecited
D eclare
S overeignty

P rayerful
R epentence
A ssures
Y ahweh's
E verlasting
R efuge

Amen!

Our 4th Pedal for Prisoners

Pedal for Prisoners IV

            This year, three bicycle riders support New Life in their fourth Pedal for Prisoners.  Unfortunately we'll be going our separate ways.  Due to a family wedding, Pastor Rick will be opting out of RAGBRAI.  Instead, he'll ride TOMRV XXXVII.  TOMRV is shorthand for Tour of the Mississippi River Valley.  It's a two day ride in early June featuring gigantic hills and epic views.  Corrine will ride in late July, tackling her 18th RAGBRAI - Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.  The route for RAGBRAI XLII is a fairly flat journey across northern Iowa but still covers 418 miles in one week.  Corrine's ride will traverse Iowa from West to East, starting in Rock Valley and ending in Guttenberg. The riders will enjoy Lake Okoboji and Mason City, hometown of the Music Man!  Finally Bill Schinkel rides in August - Bike Van Buren XXVIII.  This two day ride covers the scenic country in and around Keosauqua, Iowa.  Bill has done this ride before; he loves it so much he's doing it again!            Even though we're doing different bike rides, we're united in our devotion to New Life Prison Community.  We're all riding for one purpose - helping New Life make a huge impact on the men at the Newton Prison.  Will you support New Life financially by sponsoring one of us?

Spirit Power

Note: This article will appear in the Pella Chronicle.  I'm giving you a sneak peek.

June 8 is Pentecost Sunday in the life of the church. On that day we celebrate the great day two thousand years ago when the Holy Spirit came with power. Imagine what it would have been like to be present in that incredible moment and hear Peter preach the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ. The results of that sermon were spectacular. The Scripture informs us that "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." (Acts 2:41) Three thousand! What a big splash that must've made! Imagine the Tsunami wave of the Spirit that must have roared across the world to make an earth-shattering impact for the Gospel! 

Sometimes we misunderstand the work of the Holy Spirit. We get caught up dramatic spiritual gifts such as prophecy, faith healing, and speaking in tongues. When we focus on the charismatic gifts it's possible to miss the primary work of the Holy Spirit: pointing us to Jesus Christ. Frederick Dale Bruner wrote an influential book entitled The Holy Spirit - Shy Member of the Trinity. It's a short book (only 112 pages) but it makes an important point: In His "shyness" the Holy Spirit would prefer to direct our attention to Jesus Christ. Bruner informs: "The work of the Holy Spirit is simply to thrill us with Christ, to infect us with enthusiasm for all that Christ can do for men and women and for the world to change things, to renew institutions, and to salvage lives." If the Holy Spirit were part of a theatrical production, he would find himself backstage operating the lights in order to shine the spotlight on the leading actor at center stage: Jesus Christ. 

The Holy Spirit is at work at the Newton Prison, moving men behind bars to follow Jesus Christ. One man that comes to mind immediately is Mark (not his real name). Only 19 years old Mark first came to prison early this spring. He was eager to show me the rap music lyrics that he had written down on notebook paper. Initially his lyrics emphasized the darkness in his soul, containing four letter words and references to death and hell. I told Mark that God wanted to give him just the opposite of those things. In place of darkness, light. Instead of death, life. Replacing hell, heaven. Gradually the Holy Spirit began to turn Mark's life around. He attended Brothers-in-Blue, a four day spiritual retreat, and committed his life to Jesus Christ during the weekend. Lord willing, Mark will be baptized at the June 19th worship service in the Newton Prison gym. I won't pretend that it's easy for Mark. In fact, every day finds him in a struggle between the forces of good and evil. However, you can clearly see the joy on Mark's face that wasn't there before he met Jesus Christ. That's exactly what the power of the Holy Spirit accomplishes! 

Directing you to Jesus Christ is exactly what the Holy Spirit's power can do for you too. If you don't know Jesus Christ already, the Spirit can lead you gently by the hand to the Bible where you can find the key to salvation in John 3:16, Acts 4:12 and Romans 5:10. If you're already a believer, the Holy Spirit can encourage you to discover a deeper walk with God by dedicating your life entirely to Jesus Christ. May Pentecost Sunday provide you an opportunity to investigate further the work of the Holy Spirit whose deepest desire is for you to follow Jesus Christ. 

 Rick Admiraal ministers for New Life Prison Community, a prison congregation in Newton, Iowa. New Life is already in its fourth year of ministry to the imprisoned. New Life could not exist without its powerful prayer team, dedicated volunteer force, and loyal support base. Rick & his wife Rose live in Pella with their daughter. Their son John is heading off to Calvin College this fall.